White House officials have pressured insurance industry executives to keep quiet amid mounting criticism over Obamacare 's rollout , insurance industry sources told CNN .

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After insurance officials publicly criticized the implementation , White House staffers contacted insurers to express their displeasure , industry insiders said .

Multiple sources declined to speak publicly about the push back because they fear retribution .

But Bob Laszewski , who heads a consulting firm for big insurance companies , did talk on the record .

`` The White House is exerting massive pressure on the industry , including the trade associations , to keep quiet , '' he said .

Laszewski , who 's been a vocal critic of Obamacare , said he 's been asked by insurance executives to speak out because they feel defenseless against an administration that is regulating their business -- and a big customer .

Government-backed plans accounted for about half of health care policies last year , a number that is expected to grow over the years .

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the idea that administration officials are trying to silence insurance industry insiders is `` preposterous and inaccurate . '' He added that Laszewski has been a vocal critic of health care reform for two decades .

`` Plus , it ignores the fact that every day insurance companies are out talking about the law -- in large part because they are trying to reach millions of new customers who will now have new affordable insurance options available from providers through the new Market Places , '' Carney said .

Obama and his top advisers have acknowledged problems with the health care website .

On Wednesday , Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was the latest administration official to apologize for the bungled rollout .

Yet she and other officials continue to argue that once they are fully up and running , the insurance exchanges will benefit Americans .

But Obama also has been accused of breaking his promise that people who like their current plans can keep them . Insurers have begun discontinuing policies that do n't meet Obamacare 's beefed up coverage requirements .

Laszewski said insurance company officials are embarrassed that they have to cancel plans and force people into more robust , and possibly more expensive , coverage .

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Insurers , he said , warned the White House that the regulations would lead to discontinued policies .

`` One of the things I think is clear here is the Obama administration has no trust in anything the health insurance industry is telling them about how to run a health plan , '' Laszewski said .

5 things we learned from Tuesday 's Obamacare hearing

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Insurance company executives say they got calls from White House after speaking out

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A trade group leader says the Obama administration `` is exerting massive pressure ''

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A White House spokesman calls the accusation `` preposterous and inaccurate ''